HISTORY OF NIGERIA CURRENCY

HISTORY OF NIGERIA CURRENCY 

...How Nigeria started using cowries/manilas to pounds, kobo and presently Naira.

Before the west African currency board was found, Nigeria already had its own currency in the form of cowries and manilas. The board was charged of issuing currency notes in the country. This was during the time of colonial masters 1912 to 1959.

Nigerian currency notes issued on 1st of july, 1959:

The central bank of Nigeria withdraw the west African currency notes and coins, and issued the Nigerian currency notes and coins on 1st of July, 1959.

Legal tender status 1962-1968:

By 1st july,1962, the legal tender status of the naira was changed to showcase Nigeria's new independent status. The currency notes were changed in 1968 during the civil war.

On April 1971 the Government announced chat to decimal currency system as from 1st January, 1973. On the same date the CBN introduced 50 kobo, 1,5,10 and 20 naira respectively.

In the year 1991, 50 naira notes were issued and Al's followed by 100 naira in the year 1999, 200 naira notes in the year 2000.

In the year 2001 the 500 naira note was introduced and 1000 naira note was announced in the year 2005 which is currently the highest denomination of the naira.

As at February 28, 2007 polymer notes were introduced.

The idea of the CBN was to make the notes smaller and durable. The notes affected by the CBN polymer policy were 5, 10, 20, and 50 naira notes by the then CBN governor Prof. Charles Soludo in 2008.

It was Soludo Successor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who eventually in 2009, released the remaining 5, 10 and 50 versions of the polymer currency. 

AWORI PEOPLE: A BRIEF HISTORY AND BELIEF OF THE ORIGINAL INDIGENES OF LAGOS.

AWORI PEOPLE: A BRIEF HISTORY AND BELIEF OF THE ORIGINAL INDIGENES OF LAGOS.
....The name AWORI, which translates as "The plate sank", became the name by which the clan is known till today.

When Oduduwa was old and blind, his children were called together and ordered to go and found their own kingdoms and each was given a royal symbol. During this period, Ile-Ife was hit by a prolonged drought which lasted for many years, causing faming and diseases. Finally Agirilogbon, a babalawo of Oke-Itase in Ile-Ife, counseled emigration.

According to tradition, the children went northwards and southwards. Those who went south eastwards finally settled at Ado, Owo and Benin. In addition, some of the migrants had a change of rulers in their new homes. The date of this emigration is still a subject of academic controversy. However, it is clear that it was not later than 11th century A.D. It is also difficult to know how many kingdoms resulted from this exercise. As new kingdoms grew out of the old ones, descent from Oduduwa became the test of legitimacy among the old new kingdoms.

From this period of Oduduwa, migrations out of Ile-Ife became a permanent feature of the kingdom, Migrations also took place during the reign of Ooni Luwo who was a female ruler. Luwo was considered a disciplinarian and her rulership did not go down well with the people which led to migration. Also, the success of Lajamisan, a rich Ife bead trader to the Ooniship created political crisis which was some migrations. In addition, the deposition of Ogboru, a descendant of Lajamisan, who was barnish to Ife Odan for reigning too long but more probably for cruelty, led to emigration. Migrations southwards continued till the end of 19th century. These early southward migrant were the founders of Ife-Awori settlements in Lagos state.

Early migrations to the region of Lagos were political and economic in nature. For instance, Ogunfunminire the founder of Isheri and most other migrants from Ile-Ife were farmers. It was in the course of hunting expedition that some of them finally journeyed to Lagos. But the fact that some of the migrants were not alone but in groups, suggests political organizations which could be explained in terms of inland internal political crisis and population pressure. Before migrating to Isheri, Ogunfunminire consulted Ifa oracle which counseled migration.

One of the traditions suggests that Ogunfunminir and his friend Adeyemi Onikoyi left their homes on a hunting expedition and overstayed, thereby absenting themselves from the funeral of their father. Their relation thinking them dead, put their junior brother on the throne and this annoyed the two powerful princes, when they arrived. However, they were afraid of the great damage they might cause if they decided to fight, hence Olofin took the calabash which was willed to him by his late father. The tradition continued that he followed the movement of the ritual pot placed on water until it sank and they settled in the region

The Awori are a tribe of the Yoruba people speaking a distinct dialect of the Yoruba language. Olofin and his followers left the palace of King Oduduwa in Ile-Ife and migrated southward along a river. Oduduwa had given Olofin a mud plate and instructed him to place it on the water and follow it until it sank into the river. The plate is said to have stopped at various locations and finally sank at Idumota in the present day Lagos State in Nigeria. As they were to settle wherever it sank, the people were filled with joy when this finally happened. The name AWORI, which translates as "The plate sank", became the name by which the clan is known till today.

Several days after leaving Ile-Ife, the plate suddenly stopped near Olokemeji near present day Abeokuta. After seventeen days, it began moving again, only to stop at Oke-Ata for another seventeen days. At the end of seventeen days, the plate began moving again, only to stop again on the southern outskirts of present day Abeokuta, where it stayed for another seventeen days. At this location, some of Olofin's followers decided to remain, led by a man named Osho Aro-bi-ologbo-egan.

The plate continued downriver, stopping again at Isheri, where it remained for a much longer period of time. Olofin began instructing his followers to begin setting up a permanent settlement, but after 289 days (17 x 17) the plate began moving again. Olofin and a few followers followed the plate, while the rest of the group stayed behind. After two days the plate stopped briefly at Iddo in Lagos. At Idumota in central Lagos, it whirled around in the water and sank to the bottom. When Olofin returned to his group at Iddo, they are said to have asked him where the plate was. He answered "Awo Ti Ri" meaning "The plate has sunk". This is how the name Awori is said to have come into being.

Source: Gossip House

Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi J. 

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Sex scandal allegations rock Islamic College in Kwara, as Principal molests Female Students in office, abandoned classrooms.

Sex scandal allegations rock Islamic College in Kwara, as Principal molests Female Students in office, abandoned classrooms.

....as Punch Reporter tries to sabotage truth.

By: Idowu Adebomi 

The Principal and Vice Principal of the School, Mr. Samuel Aremu and Mr. Muyiwa

Mr. Samuel Aremu Prosper, (a.k.a. Mr Owonikoko) on his social media handles, has

absconded from his duty post as the Principal of Hassanat Islamic college, Tanke in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara state. 

He is currently engulfed in a sex scandal with several female students of the school, who he had sexually molested and defiled. 

Sunrise News in April 2022 received an urgent Save Our Soul call in April from a concerned person (name withheld) on the sexual molestation on female students of the college.

Acting on the tip off, a team of investigators were dispatched to the school and weeks after, the needed evidences were revealed by one of the female victims. 

Mr. Aremu Prosper (Owonikoko) the Randy Principal of Hassanat Islamic College, Ilorin was revealed as a notorious sex machine following the sexual romp he had with female students. 

The Principal of the School, Mr. Aremu Owonikoko 

"With several WhatsApp chats, recorded confessional statements during conversations between him and his victims, those he is  supposed to teach morals, education and mentored, suddenly turned out to be his sex pacifiers, exploiting them sexually."

Investigations further revealed that immediately the female students gets to the Senior classes, he started to devour them in the name of treating them as junior sisters and families.

The Randy principal after gaining the trust of the innocent girls aged between 15 and 17 years lured them into his office during school hours where he sucks and finger their private parts, before finally had carnal knowledge of them without their consent.

'In a WhatsApp chat with one of the victims, simply known as Raheema (surname withheld) and made available to Sunrise News, Mr. Aremu is always in the habit of fingering and sucking Raheema private part in his office, and continue with the act mostly after school hours outside the school premises. 

The Randy principal went as far as inviting  Raheema to his house and at times visit her at home under the pretence of checking on their well-being where he takes advantage of the innocent student whenever the parents are not at home.

The revealed WhatsApp chats also exposed the many sexual escapades of Mr. Aremu Prosper where he was professing love to her repeatedly and encouraged her to share nudes with him.

The chats from April to July, 2022, revealed how the Randy principal had invited Raheema to his office on numerous occasions while he kissed, romanced and sucks her private and thereafter letting her know how professional she has been. 

According to one of the chats, the Principal will keep the girl in his office even when others are on the assembly ground taking advantage of her body.

When confronted with the sex escapade with his students, the Principal initially denied the allegations and even went to threaten the students involved to stop talking to the investigators. 

This did not however deter our reporter from getting evidence of the WhatsApp chats with dates, time and meeting places which included parks, NYSC secretariat and deserted buildings.

When confronted with facts, Mr. Aremu Prosper admitted to the allegations in a telephone conversation where he confessed that Raheema was not his only victim, but mentioned and apologised to others like: Titilayo, Fasilat, and Robiat, particularly Raheema, the victim that finally exposed all his sexual harassment and assault on the innocent students of the school. 

Raheema who confirmed their relationship begged to be protected since her parents must not know of the illicit affairs.

An insider, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, confirmed to Sunrise News that it has been a long time practice of the Principal to always sexually molest not only the female students, but Corps members posted to the school. 

The Randy principal, aged 32 years pleaded for pardon not to be exposed and on instruction apologized on a WhatsApp group where he added all his victims numbering about 8.

The voice note on the group platform that was transcribed reads : "I am sorry for the unimaginable things I did to you girls, I know I should be a role model, but I am a stain and I want you all to forgive me."

After the voice note, it was expected that Mr Randy principal would change for the better and does what are expected of him as a role model, motivation and a brother to the students, but as a leopard that refuses to change its skin continued in his randy acts not knowing he was being monitored as more girls afterwards fell his prey, until Haleema finally blew open his shameful acts. 

According to one of  the chats, the Principal will keep the girls in his office even when others are on the assembly ground taking advantage of their body. 

One of the girls named Naimah whose chats also got to this reporter expressed shock when she learnt Mr. Aremu was also having carnal knowledge of  her friends especially Rahnat and Raheema. 

During the exchange of words in chat Naimah exclaimed: " uncle, so all what people have been saying about you and Rahanat is true and I trusted you oo" the chat read.

Further investigations however revealed that the school Vice Principal,  called Mr. Victor Muyiwa started pleading on behalf of his boss and Principal with every possible means to cover up the exposure of the immoral acts of the principal. 

The Vice Principal of the School, Mr. Muyiwa Victor 

Management of the school, headed by a relative of the late founder of the school and also acting as the proprietor, Mr Ali sent a message to Sunrise News reporter pleading that the matter be treated internally because of the reputation of the school hanging in the balance.

When asked why the Randy principal has not been sacked and handed over to the authorities despite the atrocities leveled against him, the acting proprietor said, "they were waiting for Mr. Aremu to hand over his resignation letter."

Mr. Ali maintained that  the duo of Mr. Aremu Prosper Owonikoko and Mr. Muyiwa Victor of perpetrated the acts and have not been found in the premises of the school since yesterday even for the Management meeting.

He expressed shock since both are Christians and one would expect them to be role models to the students.

" This is coming as a shock and I promise we won't allow them come near the children again, though as I  am speaking to you they are no where to be found even for the management meeting scheduled for today. We are rounding off the lessons and they are supposed to be in school but I assure you they will be sacked and no male teachers will be accepted henceforth " he concluded.

This report would have come earlier than this, but for the negative efforts of the Punch correspondent in Ilorin Mr. Tunde Oyekola  who tried everything in his capacity to sabotage the efforts of Sunrise News by trying to cover up the atrocities of the  Principal and also pleading on his behalf.

As at the time of filling this report, Mr. Aremu Prosper and the Vice principal, Mr. Victor have both absconded and abandoned their duty posts at the Islamic missionary school.

BIZZELL GLOBAL COMPLETES, HANDS OVER WATER PROJECTS TO EKITI COMMUNITIES

BIZZELL GLOBAL COMPLETES, HANDS OVER WATER PROJECTS TO EKITI COMMUNITIES.

...the projects which was facilitated by Hon. Akin Rotimi the 2023 Candidate of the All Progressives congress APC in Oye Ikole Federal Constituency, with aims of providing drinkable water in the constituency.

Bizzell Global has completed and handed over two water projects donated to underserved communities in Ekiti State Nigeria.

The organization had earlier in a press release by its Nigeria Country Manager, Damilola Oshinowo announced donation of the projects to two communities in the state.

The beneficiary communities are Odo Ayedun-Ekiti and Oke Ako-Ekiti, both located in Ajoni Local Council Development Area in State.

The projects were commissioned on Tuesday by the Ekiti State First lady, Her Excellency Erelu Bisi Fayemi in the presence of Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Bizzell Global.

The project facilitated by the 2023 Candidate of the All Progressives congress APC in Oye Ikole Federal Constituency, Hon. Akin Rotimi has a standard borehole 100m deep powered by a Grundfos grade 1 solar powered pump of over 120m capacity.

“The facility comprises a 5,000 liters capacity ground tank that first steps down the water received from the water table before transmitting through two fiber cylinder bottle water treatment plants, and then sends the water to the 10,000 liters overhead tank before delivery to the water point platform to be fetched by end users in the community.

“It is powered by state of the art energy efficient solar panels. The two identical projects are sited in Odo Ayedun and Oke Ako communities.

“The projects were donated as part of Bizzell Global’s corporate social responsibility and is in furtherance of SDGs Goal 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation. It is particularly geared towards expanding international cooperation and building capacity in developing countries for water and sanitation related programs.”

The commissioning of the projects was preceded by a ceremony at the palace of the traditional ruler of Odo Ayedun-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Solomon Ilesanmi Ajibade JP (Ajigbotoluwa I), the Owa of Odo Ayedun, who expressed his gratitude on behalf of the community, and conferred the chieftaincy title of Balógun Akórewọ̀lú of Odo Ayedun-Ekiti on Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, in recognition of his contribution to the development of the community. Dr. Bizzell, an African-American who traces his ancestry to Nigeria was also named ‘Ọmọ́wálé’ and welcomed as a son of the community.

In his remarks, Chief (Dr.) Anton C. ‘Ọmọ́wálé’ Bizzell, thanked the community for the honour bestowed on him, saying he was “glad to be back home”.

He commended the facilitator of the project Mr. Akin Rotimi and other community stakeholders for working collaboratively with Bizzell Global to deliver the impactful project, while encouraging other corporate organisations around the world “to work closely with communities and local organizations to create solutions that tangibly improve the standard of living.”

The State first lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, on behalf of the Government of Ekiti State expressed appreciation to the Bizzell Group for the kind gesture and appealed to them to favourably consider scaling up the intervention to benefit more communities

“You will find the Government and people of Ekiti state – the land of honour – to be people of integrity, who will always follow through with commitments they make to you and ensure such interventions are protected and well maintained.”

She further admonished the beneficiary communities to justify Bizzell’s kind gesture by taking care of the facility sustainably.

The facilitator,Akin Rotimi said that” the initiative goes a long way in consolidating the cordial relationship between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United States of America, and is a demonstration of citizen diplomacy championed by well-meaning Americans in collaboration with Nigerians who have worked together to deliver the project”.

The chieftaincy and commissioning ceremonies were witnessed by a mammoth crowd from the community, as well as senior government functionaries, traditional rulers, and other community stakeholders.

“Bizzell is a medium-sized governmental and management consulting firm, headquartered in New Carrollton, Maryland with additional, international satellite offices around the world (including Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Uganda, Thailand, and Guatemala). Founded in 2010, Bizzell Global’s mission is to foster positive global impact by working with ministries of health and economic development in various jurisdictions to create flourishing, sustainable communities. Bizzell Global works with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to advance public health interventions, policies, programs, and systems in response to current, emerging, and future public health threats and diseases.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE OWU KINGDOM

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE OWU KINGDOM
...The word “Owu” is derived from a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium, whereas “Orile” refers to an ancestral residence or hamlet.

Owu, formerly known as Orile-Owu, an old forest kingdom, is thought to have been the earliest town outside of Ile-Ife, the Yoruba people’s traditional homeland. The idea that this ancient kingdom served as the foundation for all other Owu communities has given rise to many controversies.

The Owu people are particularly well known among the many Yoruba sub-ethnic groups, especially when one considers the years of war that involved the larger Oyo Kingdom. Thus, other Yoruba sub-ethnic groups, such as Oyo, Egba, Ife, Ijebu, Ijesha, Awori, Remo, Igbomina, Ondo, and Ekiti, are inferior to the Owu kingdom. Owu was popular as a prominent ancestral domain of the Yoruba people. It also ruled the waves in the aforementioned area of old Oyo.

The Owus are mainly concentrated at Ago-Owu in Abeokuta, but a larger number of Owu towns may be found elsewhere across the Yoruba empire. The Yoruba kingdom stretches into the Republic of Benin from Nigeria’s borders.

🏐 HISTORY
Following their initial settlement in Ago-Owu in 1820, where the history of the Owus was first written down. According to oral history traditions, the Owus lived in the present-day nation of Nigeria in a region that was directly along and below the Niger River. Tribal and ethnic disputes directly contributed to the Owus’ southerly migration.

According to history, the rulers of Ibadan dispatched diplomatic emissaries to the Owus after receiving information about the Owus’ allegedly impending attack on their town. So, unlike earlier settlements, the Owus did not attempt to fight against the army of Ibadan but instead moved in peacefully. From Ita Lisa to Owu Ipole near Ikire, the monarchs of Ibadan provided the Owus territory to settle there.

Up until the reign of Sango, Owu had been the ruler of old Oyo, collecting tribute from the Bariba and the Borgu. All of this occurred because the Owu also made their home in that area. History has it that they undoubtedly had a strong presence in the area. In the Makun and other conflicts against Ado Odo and Dahomey in 1842–1845, Owu fought alongside Egba. At Itori, Yobo, Ifo, Atan, and Ota, Owu contingents engaged in battle, routed the Awori, and are still occupying those locations.

However, their mainstream had settled among the Egbas in Abeokuta. The Owu people had waged wars, won battles, and settled in several locations between the Niger River and the sea; that is, there are Owus in Lagos State; Epe, etc. Nevertheless, they are not Ijebus or Egbas. But their relationship was because the Owu colonies in Ijebu and Abeokuta usually developed on friendly terms rather than as a consequence of direct combat or victories over them.

As a result of their liberty to spread across all regions within the Yoruba kingdom, Orile-Owu was formulated. The word “Owu” is derived from a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium, whereas “Orile” refers to an ancestral residence or hamlet. The Yoruba people call this plant owu. “Orile-Owu” denotes the Owu people’s first home or hamlet. Early inhabitants of this kingdom grew cotton and traded in it. As a result, it was given the name “Igbo Owu,” or Cotton Forest.

🏐 OWU WARS

The forces of Ijebu and the Ife assaulted and destroyed Owu Ipole between 1821 and 1826. Around 1826, the Owus fled their heavily guarded city and headed in small groups southwestward toward Ibadan. From these peripheries, they marched on and over the Ogun River until they reached Oke Ata, which is close to Abeokuta, when Sodeke, the Egba supreme leader, convinced the valiant Owus to dwell there in approximately 1834.

It is important to note that the current Orile Owu is the same location as Owu Ipole, where Owus from Iwo and other areas relocated in the early 20th century. Also, the residents of Erunmu, which was established by a previous Olowu from the Amororo Ruling House, were consistently devoted to the cause of the Owu Kingdom. However, the Olowu was transported from Orile Owu, that is, Owu Ipole to Orile Erunmu during the Owu War on his back, which, according to history, was to conceal his escape, protected by a united squad of his royal guards and Oba Erunmu’s royal guards.

Thus, the remnant Owu army withdrew after Orile Owu was completely destroyed in order to defend Orile Erunmu from the united armies of Ijebu and Ife.

🏐 Owu Festival

Giving thanks to Olodumare, that is, the Almighty God for providing for all needs is the original intent of the Omo Olowu holiday. Since its inception in 1999, the annual Owu Day festival has drawn both Owu natives and visitors from around the globe. The second weekend in October will be Owu’s public celebration of the benevolence of the Almighty God, according to a declaration made public by the Olowu of Owu Abeokuta, Oba Dosunmu, on October 9, 2010.

This announcement was made to officially launch the new Omo Olowu festival, which will take the place of the previous Owu Day Festival going forward. Ironically, the Owu Day Festival held its tenth and final performance in 2009 on the tenth day of the tenth month.

Africa History Diary
Source: Gossip House
Researcher: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi
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The APC Youth Wing Presents Official Mega Concerts.

The APC Youth Wing Presents Official Mega Concerts.

...slated to hold across the (six) 6 geopolitical zones ahead of the 2023 general election. 

The Progressive Youth Concerts - this is the APC Youth Wing Official Mega Concerts which is slated to hold across the (six) 6 geopolitical zones ahead of the 2023 general election. 

This concert is a brainchild of the APC National Youth Leader, Hon. Erinjogunola Dayo Israel, and is designed to promote unity amongst youths across the Nation, to enshrine nation building values in our young people (across all party lines) and to deepen youth awareness and responsiveness towards the upcoming elections.

It is set to be entertaining with the best of funfair! 

More details and engagement plans will be unveiled.

 #spreadinggreatness

NIGERIA THE GAINT OF AFRICA: WHERE DO WE GET IT WRONG?

NIGERIA THE GAINT OF AFRICA: WHERE DO WE GET IT WRONG?

The biggest country in Africa that the United Kingdom colonized is Nigeria. The biggest country that the United Kingdom colonized in Asia is India (which then comprised the present Pakistan and Bangladesh). When the UK came into Nigeria and India, like all other countries they colonized, they brought along their technology, religion (Christianity), and culture: names, dressing, food, language, etc.

Try as hard as the British did, India rejected the British religion, names, dressing, food, and even language, but they did not reject the British technology. Today, 80.5% of Indians are Hindus; 13.4% Muslims; 2.3% Christians; 1.9% Sikhs; 0.8% Buddhists, etc. Hindi is the official language of the government of India, but English is used extensively in business and administration and has the status of a “subsidiary official language.” It is rare to find an Indian with an English name or dressed in suit.

On the other hand, Nigeria embraced, to a large extent, the British religion, British culture – names, dressing, foods, and language – but rejected the British technology. The difference between the Nigerian and the Indian experiences is that while India is proud of its heritage, Nigeria takes little pride in its heritage, a situation that has affected the nationalism of Nigerians and our development as a nation. Before the advent of Christianity, the Arabs had brought Islam into Nigeria through the North. Islam also wiped away much of the culture of Northern Nigeria. Today, the North has only Sharia Courts but no Customary Courts. So from the North to the South of Nigeria, the Western World and the Eastern World have shaped our lives to be like theirs and we have lost much or all of our identity.

Long after the British and Arabs left Nigeria, Nigeria has waxed strong in religion to the extent that Nigerians now set up religious branches of their home-grown churches in Europe, the Americas, Asia and other African countries. Just like the Whites brought the gospel to us, Nigerians now take the gospel back to the Whites. In Islam, we are also very vibrant to the extent that if there is a blasphemous comment against Islam in Denmark or the US, even if there is no violent reaction in Saudi Arabia, the Islamic headquarters of the world, there will be loss of lives and destruction of property in Nigeria.

If the United Arab Emirates, a country with 75% Muslims, is erecting the tallest building in the world and encouraging the world to come and invest in its country by providing a friendly environment, Boko Haram ensures that the economy of the North (and by extension that of Nigeria) is crippled with bombs and bullets unless every Nigerian converts to Boko Haram’s brand of Islam. We are indeed a very religious people. Meanwhile, while we are building the biggest churches and mosques, the Indians, South Africans, Chinese, Europeans and Americans have taken over our key markets: telecoms, satellite TV, multinationals, banking, oil and gas, automobile, aviation, shopping malls, hospitality, etc.

Ironically, despite our exploits in religion, we are a people with little godliness, a people without scruples. It is rare to do business with a Nigerian pastor, deacon, knight, elder, brother, sister, imam, mullah, mallam, alhaji or alhaja without the person laying landmines of bribes and deception on your path. We call it PR, facilitation fee, processing fee, transport money, financial engineering, deal, or whatever. But if it does not change hands, nothing gets done. And when it is amassed, we say it is “God’s blessings.” Some people assume that sleaze is a problem of public functionaries, but the private sector seems to be worse than the public sector these days.

One would have assumed that the more churches and mosques that spring up in every nook and cranny of Nigeria, the higher the morals in our society. But it is not so. The situation is that the more religious we get, the baser we become. Our land never knew the type of bloodshed experienced from religious extremists, political desperadoes, ritual killers, armed robbers, kidnappers, internet scammers, university cultists, and lynch mobs. Life has become so cheap and brutish that everyday seems to be a bonanza.

We import the petroleum that we have in abundance, rice and beans that our land can produce in abundance, and even toothpicks that primary school children can produce with little or no effort. Yet we drive the best of cars and live in the best of edifices, visit the best places in the world for holidays and use the most expensive electronic and telecoms gadgets. It is now a sign of poverty for a Nigerian to ride a saloon car. Four-wheel drive is it! Even government officials, who were known to use only Peugeot cars as official cars as a sign of modesty, have upgraded to Toyota Prado, without any iota of shame, in a country where about 70 per cent live below poverty. Private jets have become as common as cars. A nation that imports toothpicks and pins, flaunts wealth and wallows in ostentation at a time its children are trooping to Ghana, South Africa and the UK for university education and its sick people are running to India for treatment.

India produces automobile and exports it to the world. India’s medical care is second to none, with even Americans and Europeans travelling to the country for medical treatment. India has joined the nuclear powers. India has launched a successful mission to the moon. Yet bicycles and tricycles are common sights in India. But in Nigeria, only the wretched of the earth ride bicycles. 

I have intentionally chosen to compare Nigeria with India rather than China, South Korea, Brazil, Malaysia, or Singapore, because of the similarities between India and Nigeria. But these countries were not as promising as Nigeria at the time of our independence.

Some would say that our undoing is our size: the 2012 United Nations estimate puts Nigeria’s population at 166 million, while India has a population of 1.2 billion. Some would blame it on the multiplicity of ethnic groups: we have 250 ethnic groups; India has more than 2000 ethnic groups. Some would hang it on the diversity in religion: we have two major religions – Christianity and Islam; but India has many. Some would say it is because we are young as an independent nation: we have 52 years of independence; India has 65 years, while apartheid ended in South Africa only in 1994.

Gossip House